Pisa and the Leaning Tower

Our last stop for our Best of Tuscany Tour was Pisa. It was an hour and a half drive from San Gimignano, which gave us some time to rest after our long day. Many of us had a little nap along the way, but not until after we'd come down from the mountains as the drive through those little country roads was wonderful. There were photos opportunities at every turn, but of course, not possible from the bus.

I had been to Pisa before, and had been disappointed so wasn't particularly looking forward to this part of our tour. But Lindy had never been and you can't come this close to it and not see it.

When we got closer to Pisa, Elise told us a little of the history of the leaning tower (it's a bell tower and unusual, not just because of the lean, because most bell towers are square, where this one is round) and some of the other buildings. She told us that the tower is unique also because it always leaned. The building of the tower began in 1173 and even when just 3 of its 8 stories were built it was already sinking on one side. Over the next 180 years, architect after architect attempted to straighten it or continued building successive stories at an angle to compensate the tilt. As a result, the tower is slightly banana-shaped, and of course, it is still leaning!

At the end of the 20th century, the tower was a scary 4.5 metres away from being upright so an 11-year restoration was begun. A pit was dug on one side and filled with concrete, bringing the tower back to the position it would have been 200 years ago.

She also explained that the car park was some distance from the tower, but not to worry, we wouldn't have to walk. We would travel from the car park to the square in a little train that ran on the road, not on tracks. This train would also pick us up later and take us through the streets of Pisa, and she would tell us more of the history of the town of Pisa.

The driver of the train came along to each door of the two carriages - one at the end of each row of four seats - to check and be sure they were shut securely, which made me think we were on a ride at a fairground. As soon as he took off, that's what it felt like and we laughed as he flung the carriage around corners, threatening to fling his passengers out into the streets and the traffic at each turn. Easy then to see why he had checked the doors. He paid no heed to the shouts, blowing horns, or rude fingers he received from the other road users and pedestrians, who had to leap for their lives.

Much to my surprise, we arrived at the 'Field of Miracles' intact and uninjured. There our guide left us to wander and take photos, to visit the Duomo, or to sit and have a coffee. Some of our group had purchased advance tickets to climb the tower and others lined up to buy them there. We had no desire to do this so we walked around the tower, the Duomo and the Bapistry, taking photos in the fading light, and then elected to go and have a coffee. Lindy ordered a tea and to her joy received a whole pot!

Back at 'the train' we were driven through the town centre, a maze of quiet medieval streets and piazzas. We learned that Pisa is also on the Arno River (we crossed it) and that it is a university town. Its university, one of the oldest in Europe, is still one of the most important institutions in Italy. Pisa's most famous son, Galileo Galilei was a professor at Pisa University. More than half of the inhabitants of Pisa are students, which makes it a young and vibrant city. The train rattled and bumped its way over the rough cobblestones roads, shaking us awake as we arrived back at the bus, where Mauro was waiting to take us back to Florence.

We were both tired by this stage, but I was very glad I'd re-visited Pisa because I'd learned a lot more about it, and had seen places I hadn't been to on my previous visit.